Combination plug and dump bailer



Feb@ 6, R. V

COMBINATION PLUG AND DUMP BAILER Febo 6, C. R. COMBINATION PLUG AND DUMPBAILER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zw/@022W Zoff/:a fur Filed July 11. 1939Patented Feb. 6, 1940 PATENT OFFICE 2,189,445 COMBINATION/ PLUG AND DUMPBAILER Clarence R. Dale, Beverly Hills, Calif., assigner to Dale ServiceCorporation, Culver City, Calif., a corporation of CaliforniaApplication July l1, 1939, Serial No. 283,810

2o claims. This invention has to do with apparatus for depositingmaterials such as cement, sand and the like at intermediate depths inwells, and isv struction or bridge in the well or casing. The

various situations in well drilling, cementing or reconditioning, whereit becomes necessary or desirable .tobridge the well at intermediatedepths with cement or sand, are well known and require no detaileddiscussion.

One of my primary objects is to provide a combination apparatus,comprising 'generally a suitable means, such as a dump-type bailer, forconducting or lowering into the well a quantity of the material to bedeposited therein, and a barrier or plug adapted to be lowered in thewell ahead of the bailer, the plug and bailer being so associated thatin a single run and series of operations, the plug may be set at thedesired depth and the material dumped from the bailer on top of theplug. Preferably, though not necessarily in certain broad aspects of theinvention, setting of the plug and opening of the bailer closure todischarge material from the bailer on to the plug, occur during or arecontrolled by movement of the bailer relative to the plug. As in thelater described typical form of the invention, I may use a plug havingradially expansible but normally contracted means adapted to engage thewall of the well or casing to hold the plug in set position, and areleasable connection between the plug and bailer operable upon relativeupward movement o f the bailer to cause the plug holding means to expandinto gripping engagement with the wall of the well. In the sameoperation and upon upward movement of the bailer from the plug, thebottom closure of the bailer is opened, causing the bailer contents tobe dumped directly on Ithe plug.

' Although the invention contemplates broadly the use of any suitabledumping apparatus, I

preferably employ a dump bailerof the type disclosed in PatentNumber`2,l55,785 issued April 25,' 1939, to me 'on Cement dump bailer,for. one reason, among others, that the form of releasable bottomclosure in that bailer lends itself particularly to association orconnection with the plug, so that as the bailer is raised, the closureis immediately opened and an undiluted body of the bailer charge isdeposited on the plug. In the patented bailer referred toffthe bottomclosure comprises a disc that is releasable, free from the bailer, uponupward movement of the bailer body. In accordance with the preferredform of the present invention, the plug is integrally connected to thebailer closure so that when the latter is released, it remains in thewell together with the body of the plug.

The invention embodies various additional objects and details, but theseas well as the features mentioned in the foregoing, will be understoodto better advantage from the following description of the invention inone of 'its typical and illustrative forms. Throughout the descriptionreference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View showing an illustrative form of the invention, aportion of the bailer body appearing in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the plug in section and the bailerparts in changed position;

Fig. 3 shows the bailer released from the plug with the latter held inIengagement with the casing;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged cross sections on lines 4 4 and 5-5 of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section of taken on line B-Gof Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the plug showing thepipe engaging pins in expanded position; and

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the pins held in their retractedpositions.

The typical form of bailer bottom assembly shown in the drawingscomprises a body generally indicated at IIJ composed of an elongatedtube il, the upper end of which is connected by coupling `l2 or in anyother suitable manner, with an upper tubular section or extension lia ofthe body. As will be understood, the bailer the plug is lowered in thewell on a suitable suspension means, not shown, such as a wire cable.The tubular body II preferably has a straight cylindric bore i3 deiiningthe material containing chamber i4 from which, upon opening of the laterdescribed closureythe material has unobstructed passage as the bailer iselevated. The bottom of chamber 'il is closed at or near the lower endIIb of the body preferably by a form of closure which, when opened,vleaves the outlet I5 through which the material is discharged from thechamber, substantially entirely open and unobstructed. As typical, I mayemploy a disc closure I8 formed of suitable material such as Bakelite,aluminum alloy or other friable mate- ,l

rial that may be disintegrated by a drill, and which normally seatsupwardly against an annular shoulder on the body. The disc seat may beformed by a ring I1 secured to the body and suflciently thin that theseat offers no substantial obstruction to the flow of material from thebailer.

The closure I6 is releasably held against its seat by a latch mechanismcomprising a plurality of circularly arranged individual latch elementsin the form of levers I9 pivotally kmounted at 2U intermediate theirends within a ring 2| attached to the body, the ring being interiorlyslotted at 22 to receive the levers. Each of the levers is containedwithin a longitudinal body groove 23, the lower disc engaging ends I9aof the levers projecting inwardly through slots 24 formed in the body. Acurved surface sleeve or flange 25 applied to the lower end of the bodyis provided for the purpose of facilitating passage by the bailer ofobstructions that it may encounter in its descent within the Well, whenthe bailer is used independently of the plug.

Operation of the latch elements I9 is controlled by vertical movement ofthe tube II with relation to a body carried assembly, generallyindicated at 26, that is maintained in frictional contact with the wallof the well and so associated with the latch mechanism that the latteris caused to release the closure disc upon withdrawal movement of thebody. Typically, the assembly 26 may comprise a plurality of bowedsprings 21 terminally applied to a pair of spaced sleeves 28 and 29movable longitudinally of the body. For the purpose of permittingmaximum flexure of the springs throughout their lengths, and at the sametime securely attaching the springs to the sleeves 28 and 29, I may usethe type of connections between the parts that is described and shown indetail in the bailer patent referred to above. Further description ofthese details will be unnecessary to an understanding of the presentinvention.

The upper ends of the latch levers I9 normally are received within thelower sleeve 29 in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the levers areyieldably held in retaining engagement with the closure I6 by leafsprings 30 attached to the levers and bearing against the bases of bodygrooves 2.3. The spring and sleeve assembly 26 is releasably lockedagainst downward movement with relation to the body and latch levers I9by one or more springs 3I depending from and attached to the uppersleeve 28. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the lower endof spring 3| is received within the upper grooved end of a segmentalkeeper 32 secured to the outer surface of the body. It will beunderstood of course that the lock spring or springs 3I are arranged incircularly spaced and offset positions relative to the bowed springs 21.The lock springs are releasably thrust into the keeper grooves tomaintain the spring and sleeve assembly 26 in a predetermined upperposition with relation to the body and latch levers, by a coil' spring33 confined between the upper end. of sleeve 28 and an adjustable nut 34threaded on the body. In this manner, relative movement between the bodyand friction spring assembly in a closure releasing direction isprevented until the lock springs 3| have become released from keepers32, as will presently appear.

Associated with the lower end of the bailer is a plug, generallyindicated at 35, which may be of any suitable type and construction,capable of forming a fixed barrier in the well or casing, and adapted tobe controlled in its setting operation by upward relative movement ofthe bailer, as will presently appear. In the typical form illustrated,the plug comprises a body including upper and lower sections 36 and 31held together by screws 38 and formed of a suitable drillable materialor metal such as to render the plug disintegrable by drill bit should itat any time be desired to open the well bore through the pluggedsection. The plug preferably carries a packer 39 which is shown to beclamped between the body sections 36 and 31 and to comprise a lower discor annulus 40 having clearance from the well bore or casing 4I and madeof a relatively stiff material, such as fabric reinforced belting. Theupper layer 42 is made of relatively exible material such as impregnatedcanvas, and is sufiiciently larger in diameter than the casing bore toassume an inverted cup shape, and thereby effectively seal around theplug against down flow of fluid discharged onto it from the bailer. Thestiffer reinforcing layer 40 prevents the more flexible material 42 fromturning down under the weight of material above. The plug 35 alsocarries suitable means for frictionally engaging the casing at leastwith sufficient tightness to prevent upward movement of the plug withthe bailer in the plug setting operation, after release of the closureholding latches. As a convenient means for thus frictionally engagingthe casing, I may provide a series of circularly arranged stiff wirebristles 43 which may be mounted on the lower section 31 of the plug inthe form of individual brushes 44, the bodies 45 of which are supportedby depending leg portions 46 of the plug casting. As best illustrated inFig. 6, the bodies 45 of the brushes are inserted within verticallyextending ways 41 in the plug, the brushes being clamped between thebottoms 46a of the legs 46 and the packer 39 and retained within theWays by the overlaps at 48.

The plug is provided with suitable radially expansible, normallyretracted holding means adapted to be brought into gripping engagementwith the casing after the plug is lowered to setting position, by virtueof upward'movement of the bailer. The holding means may comprise asuitable number of circularly spaced pins 43 having pointed ends 49a,and contained within radial bores 50 in the lower body section 31. Eachpin 49 normally is held rin radially retracted position by a locking pin5I, see Fig. 8, inserted from above through bore 52 in the body sectionsand packer into a crossbore 53 in the pin 49.

Upon removing pin 5I as will shortly appear, the plug holding pin 49 isprojected radially into vholding engagement with the casing by a coilspring 54 contained within the inner end of bore 50. to the bailer so asto be withdrawn from the plug as the bailer is elevated, by a simpleform of' attchment consisting of wires 55 fastened to .the

. pins and applied to the bottom of the bailer body As illustrated, pins5I are suitably attached In operation, the bailer with its cement 'orrelease the bailer body for subsequent upward movement relative to thespring and sleeve assembly. In some situations, as where the charge isto be dumped within a liner of smaller diameter than the casing, thecasing size may be such that springs 21 will not havel become contractedsufficiently to release the locksprings 3l, until springs 21 are thrustinto the liner,` inwhich event the bailer will descend in the casingwith the parts positioned as in Fig. l.

The bailer and plug assembly is lowered to a predetermined .depth atwhich the plug is to be set and the charge dumped. When this depth isreached, the bailer is elevated to release its bottom closure and to setthe plug, the bailer being caused to move upwardly relative to the plugin the plug setting operation, since upward displacement of the plug isresisted by the frictional engagement of brushes 44 with the wall of thecasing'. Elevating the bailer body Il from the position of Fig. 1 causessleeve 29 to cam the latch'levers outwardly to closure releasingpositions, see Fig. 2, as the inclined lever surfaces I9b are thrustupwardly within the sleeve. The latter is held against upward movementby reason of the engagement of springs 21 with the casing. After theclosure I6 is released,` the bottom outlet I5 'of the bailer is fullyopened for the unobstructed discharge of material from the chamber I4 asthe bailer is progressively elevated. As illustrated in Fig. 3, upwardmovement of the body relative to the spring and sleeve assembly 26 islimited by the engagement of stop 60 with the lower sleeve 29. y

. Simultaneously with release of the bailer from its bottom closure, theplug holding pins 49 are caused to be radially projected into engagementwith the casing. 'AAs the bailer is raised, pins 5I are withdrawn frombores 53 in the plug holding pins, permitting 'the latter to be thrustoutward by coil springs 54 to securely retain the plug in position andenable it to support the bailer chargedeposited on the plug. As will beapparent, slight upward movement of the bailer before the bailer outletI5 is fully opened, is sufficient to release pins 49, so that the'plugis securely held in position before the bailer material load is placedon it. Thus, in a single operating sequence. and by straight upwardmovement of the bailer, the plug is set withinY the casing and thebailer outlet opened to deliver the charge directly upon the plug.

I claim: 1. The combination comprising a container for iiowable materialadapted to be lowered in a well ,and having a normally closed outlet, awell plug at the bottom end oi said container and adapted to be loweredwith and directly ahead of the container, means engageable with the wallof the well for holding the plug therein, said container being upwardlymovableA from the plug, and means for opening said outlet so thatduring'such upward movement of the container said material is dischargeddirectly upon the plug.

2. The combinationcomprislng a container for owable material, adapted tcbe lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plugreleasably connected to the bottom end of said container and adapted tobe lowered with and directly ahead of the container, means engageablewith the Wall ofthe well for holding the plug therein, said containerbeing upwardly movable from the plug, and means for opening said outletlso that during such upward movement of the container said material isdischarged directlyl upon the plug. l

3. The'combination iiowable material adapted to be lowered in a well andhaving a normally closed outlet, a well plug comprising va containerforat the bottom end of said container and adapted to be lowered withand directly ahead of the container, means engageable with the wallI ofthe well for holding the plug therein, said container being upwardlymovable from the plug, and means operable-by virtue of suchupwardmovement of the container to open said outlet to discharge saidlmaterial from the container upon said plug.

4. The combination comprising a container for flowable material adaptedto be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plugat the bottom end of said container and adapted to be'lowered with andldirectly ahead of the container, said container being upwardly movablefrom the plug, means operable by virtue'- of such upward movement of thecontainer for holding said plug in the well, and means for opening saidoutlet so that as the container is raised from the plug, said materialis discharged from the outlet upon the plug. y

5. The combination comprising a container for flowable material adaptedto be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, a well plugat the bottom end of said container and adapted to' be lowered with anddirectly ahead of the container, said container being upwardly movablefrom the plug, means operable by. virtue of such upward movement of thecontainer for holding said plug in the well, and Ameans for opening saidoutlet by upward movement of the container to discharge said materialupon the plug.

6. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a Welland having a normally closed outlet,

Aa well plug at the bottom end of the bailer and adapted to be loweredwith Yand directly ahead of the bailer, means engageable with the wallof the well for holding the plug therein, said body being upwardlymovable from the plug, and means for opening said outlet so that duringsuch upward -movefment of the body, material contained thereinisdischarged directly upon the plug.

'1. The combination comprising a'dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, awell plug releasably connected to the bottom end of the bailer andadaptedto be lowered with and directly ahead of the bailer, meansengageable with the wall of the well for holding the plug therein, saidbody being .upwardly movable from the plug, and means for opening saidoutlet so that during such upward movement of the'body, materialcontained therein is discharged directly upon the plug. l.

8. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, aweil plug at the bottom end ofthe bailer and adapted to be lowered'withand directly ahead of the bailer, means carried bythe plug andfrictionally engaging the wall of the well while the plug is beinglowered therein, means engageable with the wall of the well for holdingthe plug therein, said body being upwardly movable from the plug, andmeans for opening said outlet so -that during such upward movement ofthe body,

material contained therein is discharged directly upon the plug.

9. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having a normally closed outlet, awell plug at the bottom end of the bailer and adapted to be lowered withand directly ahead of the bailer, means engageable with the wall of thewell for holding the plug therein, said body being upwardly movable fromthe plug, and a closure for said outlet connected to the plug so thatupon upward movement of the body relative thereto, the outlet is openedto discharge material from the body upon the plug.

l0. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, meansfor holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that thebailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outletadapted to be opened by virtue of upward movement of said body from theplug.

11. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, meansfor holding said plug against upward movement in the Well so that thebailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outletattached to the plug and adapted to be Vopened by virtue of upwardmovement of said body from the plug.

12. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, meansfor holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that thebailer may beindependently raised, a

closure for said outlet adapted to be opened by virtue of upwardmovement oi said body from the plug, and means carried by said body forreleasably holding said closure in closed position.

13. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, meansfor holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that thebailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outletattached to the plug. and means carried by said body for releasablyholding said closure in closed position, the last mentioned means beingreleasable and the closure opened by virtue of upward movement of thebody relative to the plug.

14. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,

a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer,radially movable and normally retracted means for holding said plugagainst upward movement in the well so that the bailer may beindependently raised, and a closure for said outlet, said'holding meansbeing expanlsible into engagement with the wall of the well and saidclosure being openen., by virtue of upward movement of the body relativeto the plug.

15. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a. well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer,radially movable and normally retracted means for holding said plugagainst upward movement in the Well so that the bailer may beindependently raised. a closure for said outlet, means normallyconnected to said body and retaining said holding means in radiallyretracted position, said retaining means being operable to release theholding means for radial expansion and said closure being opened, byvirtue of upward movement of the body relative to the plug.

16. 'I'he combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered i in a well and having an outlet at its bottomend, a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer,means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so thatthe bailer may be independently I raised, and a disc carried by saidplug and normally closing said outlet, said body being movable upwardlyfrom said disc to open the outlet,

17. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in al well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, meansfor holding said plug against upward movement in the well so that thebailer may be independently raised, a disc carried by said plug andnormally closing said outlet, and latch means on the body releasablyholding the disc in closed position and operable l.to release the discupon upward movement of the body from the plug.

18. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet'at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer, meanscarried by the plug and frlctionally engaging the wall of the wellduring its downward movement therein, means for holding said plugagainst upward movement in the well so that the bailer may beindependently raised, a disc carried by said plugr and normally closingsaid outlet, and latch means on the body releasably'holding the disc inclosed position and operable to release the disc upon upward movement ofthe body from i the plug.

19. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer,radially expansible and normally retracted means for holding said plugagainst upward movement in the well so that the bailer may beindependently raised, means releasable by upward movement of the bodyrelative to the plug for retaining said holding means in retractedposition, a disc carried by said plug and normally closing said outlet,and latch means on the body releasably holding the disc in closedposition and operable to release the disc upon upward movement of thebody from the plug.

20. The combination comprising a dump bailer including a tubular bodyadapted to be lowered in a well and having an outlet at its bottom end,

a well plug directly below and movable downwardly with the bailer,radially projecting bristies carried by the plug and frictionallyengaging the Wall of the well during its downward movement, therein,means for holding said plug against upward movement in the well so thatthe bailer may be independently raised, and a closure for said outletadapted to be opened by virtue of upward movement of said body from theplug.

CLARENCE R. DALE.

